Beaumont man pleads guilty to carjacking

United States Attorney John M. Bales announced today that a Beaumont man has pled guilty to federal carjacking charges in the Eastern District of Texas.

According to a press release from Bales’ office, Rogelio Arellano Torres, 19, of Beaumont, admitted to charges he carjacked a woman last year during a hearing before United States Judge Marcia Crone today in Beaumont. Torres had been indicted on July 11, 2012 and charged with carjacking in a one-count indictment.

According to information presented in court, on June 24, 2012, Torres forced the woman at knifepoint into her vehicle in the parking lot of the Pappadeaux’s Restaurant in Beaumont. Torres then took the woman captive and drove to a bank ATM, where he demanded the victim withdraw money from her account. After withdrawing the money, the woman was eventually forced from her vehicle and Torres fled with her car, purse and cell phone.

Torres faces a term of up to 15 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set at this time. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph R. Batte.